Doctor updates

August was a busy month. Here are some updates:
Sleep Study - In 2005 I was diagnosed with sleep apnea and was severe enough to be placed on a cpap machine which I admit was not fun nor did I use it as much as I should have at the time. I was lucky and highly suggest not doing what I did and follow all doctor instructions. The latest study shows some sleep issues but I'm no longer having the severe sleep apnea. I have moderate snoring and my issues come about when sleeping on my back. Treatment- sleep on side and continue to loose weight, use a nasal spray at night.

Thankful that I have improved with 30lb loss and no longer needing a machine to help me sleep/breathe.

MRI's - had 2 MRI's done the week of the 12th of august. They went fairly fast and the techs were really helpful and pleasant.

Blood work - went to see a Hematologist and wish he could be my regular doctor. He paid attention and asked several questions along with having a sense of humor that went along with me and my family. I had several tests done (14 vials of blood) on the 23rd of August. The office called and said that my tests were negative! and they are forwarding the results to my neurologist.

I go to the neurologist on the 17th of September to discuss the MRI's and the findings of all tests.

Thanking God for all things and know He is in control!

Thankful

Thank you for the comments, emails, prayers and requests. I'm thankful for a better day today. Updates in the coming weeks about all the tests and appointments. I have blood-work appointment this Friday for some special tests (Gene analysis, lupus, protein, etc) to see if any other issues I may have that might have an idea of why I had my stroke. Please pray for answers. Several doctors think it may be more then just the high blood pressure especially since this has been an issue since my teen years.
I leave this in God's hands.

"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.

  Let your reasonableness be known to everyone.

 The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything,

 but in everything by prayer

 and supplication with thanksgiving

 let your requests be made known to God.

  And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding,

 will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 

 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable,

 whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely,

 whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence,

 if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." 

Philippians 4:4-8 

August

I hope you are doing well. My plan is to give an update soon. I have another new Neuro Doctor appointment today. A quick praise - sleep study went ok but I did it and will have update on 5th.

More later,

Chapters

The year is almost at a close and while I tend to want to look back, I am choosing to look forward. For our family we are coming to the end of a chapter in our lives. My husbands job is ending in January and we are moving. All the waiting for some decisions were made and final so new decisions, plans are now in front of us. This is where we are right now.
I'm looking forward to new adventures, new doors to open and continue on this healing journey. We are all looking forward to the warmer climate in Florida.

My time here blogging will be shorter than I would like but I wanted to give an update. We still have waiting to do, waiting on others to finalize paperwork, waiting on last appointments and waiting for housing door to open. On a happier note - we are seeing some progress with my muscles and healing from my dental surgery. I have lost 30 lbs and still going. Waiting on blood work to come back but had a good report from cardiologist - EKG good and he was happy to know I am working on loosing weight and seeing some progress.

I thank you all for reading and praying for me and my family. May God bless you now and in the coming months.

"Bless the LORD, O my soul;
         And all that is within me, bless His holy name!
 Bless the LORD, O my soul,
         And forget not all His benefits:
 Who forgives all your iniquities,
         Who heals all your diseases,
 Who redeems your life from destruction,
         Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,
 Who satisfies your mouth with good things,
         So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s" 

Psalm 103:1-5

Thanksgiving

A time for change is coming. The last few weeks have been busy with medical & dental appointments and visit from my mom. There were vacation times for my daughter and husband. (Of course at different weeks) So I have had lots of company every day.

I went to my neurologist appointment last week. Everything is progressing and my doctor was impressed with all that had improved in 6 months. I still have a ways but doing well. I did get a prescription for Baclofen to help my tight muscles and the spasms. We are still testing amounts and have seen some improvement with less pain and relaxing of my tighter muscles. Still have varying degrees of pain but in time, I think, the pain will lessen.

I also had a few dental visits - I'm embarrassed but I know that the doctors will take good care of me. I have several upcoming visits over the next few weeks to include removal of 4 back teeth and several filings. The combination of stroke side effects and bad past have brought me to this point but all is changing.

As far as waiting - I'm excited to what the future has in place with God's direction. The time is ending for us to be here so 1. base housing is no longer an option, 2. no longer waiting for an answer so now time is to move on and forward. My healing gives glimpses and I know that one day I will be fully healed. As far as when - only God knows. Now we have to decide where to move, when to move and what is provided in the move. More later...

As we get closer to when we have our Thanksgiving meal, we are choosing to be happy and look forward to spending time just us especially as a break/pause in all that goes around us. We will have our small feast with turkey, cornbread, dressing, and many vegetables. I can't leave out the pumpkin pie.
Thankful to the Lord Almighty God for providing what we have and need, for His peace as we make decisions and shedding light on changes that need to be made.

May you all be blessed in the coming days, weeks as we come to the end of this season/year!

“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts,

to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.”

Colossians 3:15

God bless,

Small Update

Hi everyone. I hope you all are well. There really isn't much to write but I wanted to give an update.
We are doing ok - still waiting and talking about the options that we have and some plans in multiple ways. Either way we are waiting on decisions that others have for our future, my husbands career in the military. He passed his PT test with a 94 and did the walk/run 1 mile in 10 1/2 minutes. I'm so proud of him but more thankful to the Lord for allowing him to pass. My husband has done everything they have asked him to do but we are still waiting.

I am doing okay. Nothing new (in my opinion) but doing as much as I can for housework. I am not going to a place for therapy so it's all at our apartment. Trying things and working on doing what is needed. I'm thankful I have gone from having no feeling on right side to having some feeling with times that what I feel on right side feels the same. I still have hyper-sensitive areas and lots of pain but I push forward. Strokes have different levels of recovery and I have to remind myself. I do have days of sadness because I am still broken. However, I keep going after a small break. I will keep going and I thank the Lord for everyday He allows me to be here with my family and friends.

God bless you all!

“The LORD bless you and keep you;
 The LORD make His face shine upon you,
      And be gracious to you;
  The LORD lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.”
Numbers 6:24-26

Waiting

Hi friends. I do hope you all are doing well.

Waiting.. I have good patience most of the time but when it comes to the future, planning, I'm not great at just waiting. I want a plan, a purpose, a "to do" list, a dream to set in motion. Yes I am doing therapy stuff and using my frustrations to get me past challenges and succeeding most of the time in amazement but it's the future that is in a waiting period.

Waiting - that waiting list for base housing (already now at month 8) has been extended to an estimated 6-8 months

Waiting - for the healing process, the walking easily and using my right hand with ease

Now waiting - to see if my husband will be allowed to re-enlist in the military in January. This is not guaranteed so we are waiting. Another process. Which will eliminate the base housing if one decision is made but then opens so many more decisions and destinations.

I have to admit that waiting is hard. Sometimes there are tears - of sadness, of frustrations, of uncertainty BUT I turn to the Lord, taking to Him all that is bothering me, all that is on my mind. Asking for His desire for us, God's favor on my husband to stay, beat the odds if that is His desire for us to stay here in Oklahoma or give us the desire to be where He wants us to be so we will make the right decisions when the time comes. Thanking Him for all He provides for we are truly blessed.

My soul, wait silently for God alone,
         For my expectation is from Him.
 He only is my rock and my salvation;
         He is my defense;
         I shall not be moved.
 In God is my salvation and my glory;
         The rock of my strength,
         And my refuge, is in God.
        
 Trust in Him at all times, you people;
         Pour out your heart before Him;
         God is a refuge for us.  Selah

Psalm 62:5-8